Even though I am nowhere near ready for the holiday season, I have been counting down the days for the re-opening of one of my favorite restaurants in Manila, M Dining—although in my household it will always be fondly referred to as Masseto. After an approximate 10-month-too-long hiatus, both M. Dining and BarM open their doors once again and welcome patrons old and new at their new location in the Allegra Alpha Building in Makati.

IMAGE Alicia Sy

IMAGE Alicia Sy

The new interiors of M, with the dining area featuring two artworks by Nicole Coson

While the space is remarkably larger and the furnishings have been updated, there are still warm reminders of its former life, and that is a good thing. As we are with many beloved traditions, my family and I take comfort in knowing that when we walk through the door things may seem new, but what we have always loved about this restaurant remains the same.

At the helm of the kitchen is the new executive chef Tom Bascon, formerly based in New York, with chef Tippi Tambunting continuing on in her role as operations manager. The main menu lists many tried and tested favorites such as the cheese soufflé, seared foie gras with grape confit and wine reduction, tagliolini bottarga, beef cheeks with spinach and polenta, and duck leg with lentils. I’m also happy to note that M dessert mainstays—hazelnut tart, Ile Flotante with vanilla sauce, bread pudding, and warm chocolate cake with honey ice cream—are still offered. New and noteworthy on the menu are the pizza with crispy jamon and tomatoes and another one with anchovy and roasted garlic. I expect more variations to appear shortly as Tom and Tippi play with their new chef’s toy, an Alfa Pro Italian pizza oven, which they also use for baking their new wonderful, crusty house baguettes.

Tagliolini bottarga; pizza with crispy jamon and tomatoes and gin and tonic

As always, the service is warm and attentive and the wine list is second to none in the Philippines with an offering of approximately 400 types of the world’s finest. Also on offer is a selection of champagne and sparkling by the glass and four different kinds of both white and red wines.

IMAGE Alicia Sy

Choose from over 36 types of gin at Bar M, which also suggests fruits or botanicals to go with your pick.

IMAGE Alicia Sy

Bar M has one of the widest whisky selections in Manila.

Bar M still offers one of the widest selections of whiskies, and new to the cocktail mix are 36 different types of gin with four more bottles on their way. I just love gin and the new gin menu highlights not only every single bottle on offer, but provides an education on how to enjoy each kind with a suggested list of fruit, herbs, spices, and botanicals to serve with each brand of gin. All I can say is I’m sure someone had fun doing the research for this and why wasn’t I invited?

See you at M soon!

Alicia

M is open for dinner only in the month of December. 2294 Chino Roces Extension, Allegra Alpha Building, Makati; 810.3565 or 0917.843.3565